Province of East Lancashire Burnley and Pendle District Newsletter January 2014 Issue No 1 CHAIRMAN WBro Paul Thornton PProvJGW ‘The Hawthorns’ 190 Brownside Road, Worsthorne, Burnley BB10 3JW Tel 01282 454218, e-mail: [email protected]

Padiham Lodges honour Armistice Day

This morning ( Sunday 10th November) The Padiham Lodges laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in Padiham. From L to R Bro Michael Mills Master of Red Rose of Lancaster 1504, Bro Graham Allison Master of Calder 4564 and WBro Albert Young Master of Huntroyd 6385

Donation to Pendleside Hospice

Burnley & Pendle Freemasons present The Grand Charity Cheque

Wednesday 27th November

Pendleside Hospice is presented with the award of £2,443 The generous donation was made by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, an organisation that distributes money raised by Freemasons and their families to support people in need.

The grants will help Pendleside Hospice to continue providing free physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients and their families.

Paul Thornton, Burnley & Pendle District Chairman said: “Hospices play a vital role in helping the individuals and families affected by terminal and life limiting illnesses. I am delighted that the grants from the Freemasons’ Grand Charity will, in addition to funds raised by local Masons help to run these excellent local services that rely on voluntary and charitable support to fund their work”

Christina Cope, Fundraising Manager at the Hospice said "This is a very generous gesture from the Masonic Grand Charity and all the Masons throughout the country who support the work of the Hospice Movement Nationally , we are very grateful to them every year for their continued support"

Photo Left to Right

Christina Cope – Pendleside Hospice, Fundraising Manager. Keith Jackson –Charity Steward

Jeff Ward-Deputy Chairman. Paul Thornton – Chairman

Graham Smith - Communications Officer. Roy Langtree – Charity Steward and Hospice Volunteer.

Kaye Bartle Pendleside Hospice, Fundraising Manager.

Closure of Nelson Masonic Hall

NELSON MASONIC HALL, BRADSHAW ST. NELSON 1947 – 2013

After the Second World War, Masonry in Nelson had grown to the extent that it was felt that a Masonic Hall was needed for its continued development rather than the upper room in the Lord Nelson Hotel ( which had previously been the meeting place). Following lengthy discussion, representatives of four lodges and the chapter decided to purchase Oak Lodge for conversion, and for this purpose the Nelson Masonic Hall Company was formed on March 4 l947. Subsequently it proved impracticable to convert Oak Lodge because of Government restrictions. The Masonic Hall Company continued their search and W.Bro. A Rogers, the Company’s secretary located a former chapel which was acquired for a Masonic Hall.

Conversion ensued, although it was rumoured that a baptismal cistern still existed below the floor of the new Masonic Hall. Some mementoes of the stay in the Lord Nelson were transferred: as well as the furniture, carved wooden lintels from the Lord Nelson Lodge room were used to decorate the framework backing the chairs of the W.M. a door, with a sliding panel, however remained in the hotel and was a reminder of Masonic occupation.

Following conversion, the Hall in Bradshaw St., was consecrated as a Mason Temple, and a celebratory dinner was held in the Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, when about three hundred masons dined.

“Bradshaw St.” has been in continuous use since then, housing Queen’s Jubilee Lodge, Marsden Lodge, Pendle Lodge, Pennine Valley Lodge and latterly Brierfield Lodge, as well as the Nelson Chapter and Elizabethan Mark Lodge.

Initially the move was beneficial and lodges thrived. The Masonic Hall has subsequently seen many improvements and re- decorations. A larger-scale improvement was made when a narrow, inconvenient entrance in Extwistle St. was closed and minor building work created a more suitable entrance on the north side. Some internal room adjustments followed and the bar area was given a more comfortable lounge-type appearance. Both men’s and ladies’ conveniences were created upstairs, and the kitchen area was brought up-to-date

I believe that the character of the rooms had an influence on the ethos and atmosphere of our meetings; a necessary formality could be lightened with humour and tempered with lively and enjoyable social boards, the comparatively more intimate surroundings encouraging closer fraternal bonds.

Compared with the other Halls “Bradshaw St” was small and compact but also reasonably economical to run. Larger social functions were held off the premises and Lodge social boards usually catered for by outside agencies.

The needs of maintaining an old building, falling membership, a lack of parking facilities and a demographic change in the surrounding area have all given cause for concern recently and it was very reluctantly decided to close the hall. It has on the whole served the needs of Masonry in Nelson well for more than 65 years. It is sad that Nelson will no longer be host to a Masonic presence. We hope that the lodges who are re-locating will retain the ‘Nelson touch’ and enrich their respective new homes.

B.K.INGHAM PENDLE LODGE December 2013

Pendle Lodge moves to Colne

Pendle Lodge No. 4703, first meeting in our new home!

Pendle Lodge’s move from the Nelson building to Colne Masonic Hall was a happy affair, tinged with a little sadness, rather than the other way around. The first meeting in our new environment was Pendle Christmas Lodge meeting and dinner, always a resounding success and usually involving a taxi ride home. A number of our visitors come from Portugal, bringing with them several bottles of very good port and the entire meeting is unfailingly well attended. The occasion was marked, as usual, with a Brass Band and we welcomed Gentleman guests to the Festive board.

Earlier the same evening the officers of Pendle Lodge took the opportunity to have a quick practice in our new and slightly unfamiliar surroundings. However, all feelings of unease were quickly dispelled, when we met members from Colne Masonic Hall who greeted us with “welcome to your new home”, making the officers and Brethren feel a strong sense of belonging from the outset.

There followed a highly successful meeting, with Bro. Ian Salthouse WM and his Officers contriving to look comfortable and relaxed in their positions, despite this being the first Lodge after our Installation. The catering, by Mrs. Maureen Howarth, was nothing short of sumptuous. As may be seen in the accompanying photographs, a thoroughly enjoyable Masonic celebration was had by all.

£ 1,633,038.43

More information on the above can be found on www.pglel.co.uk or on the Burnley and Pendle bi monthly What’s On.